Submarine signalling device



Jan. 3, 1961l H. R ,JolNER SUBMARINE SIGNALLING DEVICE I5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec, 30. 1948 H Joiner Jan. 3, 1961 H. R. .JolNER SUBMARINE SIGNALLING DEVICE I5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 30, 1948 7 .lof

Jan. 3, 1961 H. R. JolNER SUBMARINE SIGNALLING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 30. 1948 ,uitllillvvvivlrnfrllllllllllll:alla!!! United States Patent C) 2,966,849 SUBMARINE SIGNALLING DEVICE Harold R. Joiner, 725 Kenworth Ave., Hamilton, Ohio Filed Dec. 30, 1948, Ser. No. 68,104 9 Claims. (Cl. 102-7) (Granted under Title 35, U.S. Code (1952), sec. 266) This invention relates generally to marine signalling devices for indicating to surface vessels or aircraft the presence of a submarine below the surface and more particularly to a device of this character which is adapted to be projected from below the surface of the water from the submarine signal ejector tube to display an identifying signal upon or above the surface of the water.

Devices of this character heretofore devised for this purpose have generally taken the form of a shell adapted t be projected from the emergency signal ejector of a submarine. One type of shell contained a grenade type pyrotechnic candle and a time fuze for igniting a charge arranged to simultaneously light the candle and forcibly expel the candle with parachute attached from the shell `to propel the candle and parachute into the air after the time fuze had burned for a predetermined interval. Another type of shell contained a smoke pot which was ignited to burn within the shell on Ithe surface of the water after the time fuze had burned for a predetermined interval.

Such devices, however, have not been found to be entirely satisfactory in service for the reason that the time fuze might ignite the propellent charge or smoke pot before the shell reached the surface of the water when the shell was released from a submarine at a great depth, and the signal would not be displayed. Submarine signalling devices employing a time fuze to ignite the propellent charge have the additional disadvantage in that there is an appreciable time delay after the signal shell reaches the surface of the water before the propellent charge or smoke pot is ignited when the signal shell is projected from a submarine at a shallow depth.

A submarine signalling device constructed in accordance with the present invention retains all of the advantages of the prior submarine signalling devices of this general type and possesses none of the foregoing disadvantages.

More specifically, an arrangement is provided in which a buoyant casing for housing a signal produced element, propellent charge and charge igniting device is projected from the submarine signal ejector to rise to the surface and in which the charge igniting device is adapted to ignite the propellent charge after a short delay period to expel the signal producing element from the casing or to ignite a signal to burn in the casing on the surface after the casing reaches the surface of the water regardless of the depth from which the device is released from the submarine.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved signalling device whereby a submarine below the surface may display a signal to aircraft or surface vessels.

Another object is to provide a signalling device of this character having provision for displaying a signal to surface craft within a short period of time after the device has been projected from the submarine regardless of the depth from which the device is projected.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a visible submarine signal device for signalling surface craft which will operate to release the display signal from the casing only after the device has reached the surface of the water.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a visible signal to aircraft or surface vessels which is adapted to be projected from a submarine ejector at a substantially greater depth than any device of this character heretofore devised.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein;

Fig. 1 is a sectional view in elevation of the submarine signal device according to one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a somewhat enlarged sectional view of a portion of the submarine signal device as the various parts appear immediately after leaving the ejector tube;

Fig. 3 is a` sectional view similar to that of Fig. 2 and illustrating the position of the various parts of the device as the casing approaches the surface of the water;

Fig. 4 is an end view, somewhat enlarged, of the release mechanism of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the device of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a sectional View taken along line 6 6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the device of the present invention according to the preferred embodiment thereof;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view, somewhat enlarged, of the arming and firing mechanism of the device of Fig. 7 as the various parts appear immediately after leaving the ejector tube;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged end view of the release mechanism of Fig. 8; and

Fig. 1() is a side elevational view of the release mechanism of Fig. 9.

Referring now to the drawings for a more complete understanding of the invention and more particularly to Fig. l thereof, there is shown thereon a tubular casing 10, having the rearward end thereof closed by base 11 in threaded engagement With the casing, a ring gasket 12 being interposed within a circular recess 9 formed in the base to provide a water tight seal therebetween.

Base 11 is provided with a tubular extension 65 telescopically fitted within the casing 10 and a pair of upstanding portions 13, Fig. 4, each having a longitudinal bore therethrough for receiving pin 15 therein. Release lever 16 is rotatably mounted on pin 15 between the upstanding portions 13 with 4lever spring 17 sleeved about pin 15, Figs. 4 to 6, and so constructed and arranged as to urge lever 16 toward base 11.

A pair of releasing lugs 18 having laterally extending shoulders 19 thereon slidably arranged within a pair of slots 21 formed in base 11, are urged into engagement with each other by spring 22. Upstanding portions 13 each have an additional longitudinal bore therethrough for receiving a headed pin 24 which is held within the bore by the cotter pin 25. Trip lever 26 having an end 35 protruding beyond the side of base 11, is interposed between upstandng portions 13 and rotatably mounted on pin 24. Levers 26 and 16 are movable within slot 37 formed within a pair of upstanding portions 38 formed on base 11. Toe 27 formed on lever 16 is urged initially into engagement with shoulder 28 formed on trip lever 26, levers 16 and 26 being so constructed and arranged that as the trip lever 26 is pulled rearwardly, lever 16 is cocked and snaps forward under the force of lever spring 17. Lever 16 is provided with a wedge shaped portion 29 formed thereon and as the lever moves forward under the force of lever spring 17, the wedge shaped portion 2'9 forces the pair of releasing lugs 18 apart against the force of spring 22 for the purpose hereinafter more fully explained.

As illustrated more clearly in Figs. 4 and 5, locking pin 31 is provided with a collar 32 formed thereon which is slidably arranged within recess 33 formed in the laterally extended portion 23 of upstanding portion 38. Recess 33 has an axially extending reduced bore 34 into which is slidably arranged locking pin 31 which is adapted to enter locking hole 30 formed in trip lever 26. Locking pin 31 is urged outwardly from engagement with trip lever 26 by compression spring 36 disposed between the shoulder formed by recesses 33 and 34 and collar 32. Safety pin 41, secured to ring 44, is slidably arranged within bore 39 which forms an opening into recess 33, pin 41 being adapted to hold locking pin 31 in engagement with locking hole 30 of trip lever 26 until withdrawn by Iring 44 after inserting the casing into the barrel of the signal ejector provided in the submarine.

Securing rod 51, threaded to bellows plunger 43, has a T-shaped head 42 formed thereon which tits into recesses 45 provided therefor in releasing lugs 18, as may best be seen in Figs. 2 and 6. When the signal casing is placed in a signal ejector barrel of the submarine, the protruding end 35 of the trip lever 26 rides in a groove provided therefor in the barrel. The groove ends a short distance from the ejector muzzle so that when the casing is ejected as by compressed air from the ejector barrel, safety pin 41 having rst been extracted thereby to cause withdrawal of pin 31 from locking engagement with lever 26, end 35 of trip lever 26 strikes the end of the groove to pull the trip lever sharply rearwardly against the force of spring 17, thereby to cock and release the lever 16 which is moved forward by the force of lever spring 17. As lever 16 snaps forward the wedge shaped portion 29 separates the two releasing lugs 18 to free the head 42 and bellows plunger 43 from locking engagement with base 11, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3.

A11 expansible metallic bellows 47 is brazed or otherwise suitably secured in water tight relation to bellows mounting plate 48 and to bellows plunger 43. Mounting plate 48 has a tubular extension 49 formed thereon in threaded engagement with axial bore 83 formed in base 11.

A cup-shaped bellows guide 53, sleeved about bellows 47, has a lateral flange 55 forming a seat for a compression spring 56 which is disposed initially under compression between flange 55 and the center ring 58. Bellows plunger 43, having a circumferential recess 674 formed therein, extends through axial bore 54 through bellows guide 53 and is slidably arranged within thc tubular extension 59. Tubular extension 59 is relaas-ably locked in the position shown in Fig. l by means of a pair of balls 62 which are disposed respectively within a pair of openings 63 formed diametrically withinV the tubular extension 59.

Tubular extension 65 of the base and tubular member 66 are secured to the center ring 58 by threading the parts together. Center ring 58 has an axial bore 67 therethrough for receiving tubular extension 59 slidablyv therein. Bore 67 has an enlarged counter bore 68 Which forms a seat in center ringy 58 for balls 62 whereby plunger housing 61 is prevented from moving to the left as shown in Fig. 1 which illustrates the position of the various parts prior to firing the shell from the signal ejector barrel.

Extension 59 has a flange 69 formed thereon to provide a seat for cocking spring 71 which is also seated against shoulder 72 onk tiring pin holder 73. Cooking spring 71 is insertedunder compression between flange 69 and shoulder 72 for yieldably urging the flange 69 and extension 59- to the left as viewed in Fig.l l.

Sear 76, disposed in milled slot 75 formed in flange 69, is pivotally mounted on Sear pin' 77 which is pressed within a suitable lateral borev formed therefor within flange 69. Firing pin 79 and sear 76 are slid-ably arranged within axial bore 81 formed within tubular portion- 74 ofpin holder 7 3".

Sear 76 and tiring pin 79 have matching cam surfaces which mutually engage as indicated at 85 such that the 4 sear and pin are in locking engagement while disposed within bore 81, the firing pin being adapted to be rel leased from the Sear as the matching cam surfaces cause the Sear to rotate about pin 77 as the sear is withdrawn from bore 81, as illustrated by the dotted lines in Fig. 3.

Firing pin 79 has an integral coll-ar 82 formed thereon which is slidably arranged within ela'rged bore 86 formed in firing pinA holder 73. Firing spring 87, sleeved about firing pin 79, is interposed between the bottom of enlarged bore 86 and collar 82 to urge firing pin striker SS into tiring engagement with percussion cap or primer 89 which is pressed within recess 92 formed within primer holder 91. The ring pin striker 88 is secured in threaded engagement with firing pin 79. Primer holder 91 is provided with an axial bore 93 in communication 'with recess 92. Firing pin holder 73 is threadably secured to tubular member 66 and primer holder 91 is held in engagement with tiring pin holder 73 within a suitable opening therein. p v y y Spacer block 95, s'lidably arranged within casing 10, is provided with an annular recess 96 forming a com-Y municating passage between the percussion cap 89 and -a bore 97 formed within the spacer block. A time fui 98, formed of any suitable materiaLwhich is adapted to burn along its length at a predetermined rate, is disposed within bore 97. An expellent charge 99, composed of any suitable explosive material such, for example, as gun-` powder, orv the like, is pressed within recess 100 formed in the spacer block. A tubular housing 101, telescopically arranged within casing 10is provided with a base 102 having a plurality of longitudinal bores 103 therethrough into which are secured time fuzes 104, similar to fuze 98. A pair of O ring spacers 105 and 106 are fitted within housing 101 with a secondary explosive charge 107 tted within spacer 106.

Tubular containers 108 and 109, telesoopically arranged within housing 101, are filled Awith any suitable pyrotechnic material such, for example, as star composition 110 and colored smoke composition 111 respectively. A piece of quickrnatch 126 extends from within the sec-l ondary explosive charge` 107 into a suitable ignition charge A125 disposed at the end of pyrotechnic composition 110 for igniting the same. A second piece of quickmatch 115 extends from within the secondary explosive charge 107, passing between'lthe tubular container 108 and housing 101 into a suitable ignition charge 127 disposed in the axial bore of the pyrotechnic composition 111, thereby to provide an igniting train for composition 111. l j y Y Containers 108 and 109 are secured together by asbestos suspension cord 112, and container 109 is secured to the shroud lines of parachute 113 by asbestos suspension cord 114. v l

y The parachute 113 4is folded within the open end of the housing 101 which is provided with a cover or top 128 suitably secured to maintain its position during the ight of the grenade assembly comprising housing 101 and its contents. vThis cover prevents spillage of the contents until itis blown off upon ignition of ythe secondary explosive charge 107, which also ejects the contents. The piston 116 is slidably arranged within the casing'l() and pressed against the end of the housing 101. Piston 116 is provided with4 a cylindrical extension 117 into which is slidably arrangedlcompression spring 118 and the end of knock-out rod 119; The' partially compressed spring 118, sleeved about the reduced end portion 121 of rod 1179, isv interposed between the piston 116 and the rod 119 to urge the rod into engagement with the ogival nose 4122. Nosek 122 is provided with a circular recess 123 into which is tted an O ring gasket 124 to form a water-tight seal between the nose and the' casing 10 as the end of thev casing is bent about the gasket.

The' casingl is placed in the' signal' ejector barrel with the end 35 of trip llever 26 disposed within the groove formed within the` barrel. The casing is propelled through the barrel of the submarine ejector as by a blast of compressed air supplied by the submarine, and as the end 35 of lever 26 reaches the end of the groove just before the base 11 passes the muzzle of the barrel, trip lever 26 and lever 16 are pulled rearwardly until shoulder 28 slips past toe 27 to release lever 16 which is now snapped forward by lever spring 17. As lever 16 moves forward, the wedge shaped portion 29 separates the lugs 18 to disengage head 42 and bellows plunger 43 from the base 11. As the signal casing leaves the ejector barrel, water enters the interior of bellows 47 to cause the bellows to expand and move bellows plunger 43 into tubular extension 59 until recess 64 moves into registry with balls 62 to cause the balls to move out of counter bore 68 of center ring 58 and enter recess 64 thereby to lock the tubular extension 59 to the plunger 43, as illustrated in Fig. 2. As the casing has positive buoyancy, it rises to the surface of the water, and as the pressure of the surrounding water decreases within the bellows, spring 56 moves plunger 43, plate or flange 69 and the firing pin 79 toward the base 11 and away from the percussion cap 89, thereby compressing tiring spring 87, as illustrated in Fig. 3. As the end of the sear 76 leaves the end of bore 81, cam surfaces 85 cause the sear to rotate about pin 77 to release the firing pin 79. This occurs as the casing nears the surface of the water at a depth, such, for example, as 20 feet. Upon release of the tiring pin, spring 87 moves the firing pin striker 88 forcibly into firing engagement with percussion cap 89 to explode the cap. The percussion cap 89 ignites the time fuze 98 which burns while the casing is rising the last 20 feet to the surface and for a short interval of time after the casing has reached the surface.

The fuse 98 ignites the propellent charge 99 which, in turn, simultaneously ignites the time dely fuzes 104 and propels the housing .101 with containers 108, 109 and parachute 113 therein, to a height above the surface of the water such, for example, as 350 feet. As the charge 99 expels the housing 101, piston116, rod 119 and nose 122 are removed from the casing 10. The time delay fuzes 104 are of such a length that, as the housing 101 reaches the summit of the trajectory the fuzes ignite the secondary explosive charge 107 which propels the parachute 113 and the containers 108 and 109 from the housing and simultaneously ignites Ythe quickmatches 126 and 115, which, in turn, respectively ignite the star composition 110 and smoke composition 111 to display these signals above the surface of the water. The compositions burn during slow descent thereof through the air provided by the parachute and thus give to surface vessels a visual signal or display indicative of the presence of a submarine below the surface of the water.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 7 to 10, there is shown thereon a submarine signal device which is adapted to be released from a submarine below the surface of the water and to spread a display dye on the surface.

The signalling device comprises a tubular casing 131 having a tubular support member 132 telescopically arranged therein and secured thereto by vthreading the parts together with ring gasket 137 disposed within a circular recess 139 Within the member to form a watertight seal therebetween.

Support 132 is provided with an inturned flange 133 forming an axial opening 134 into which is disposed bellows support 135 which is threadably secured to base 136 with ring gasket 138 between the support and the ange to form a water-tight seal therebetween.

Base 136 is provided with a pair of upstanding portions 141 having aligned bores therethrough for receiving the headed lever pin 144 therein. Pin 144 is provided with a cotter pin 145 for securing the pin within the vbores therefor. Lever 146, having an end por-4 tion 147 extending beyond the side of the base 136, is interposed between a pair of arms 148 formed on base 136, and is rotatably mounted on pin 144 between upstanding portions 141.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 9, there is shown thereon a locking pin 151 having collar 152 formed thereon which is slidably arranged within recess 153 formed in upstanding portion 129 of arm 148. Washer 154, having opening 159 therethrough, is staked or peened within recess 15.3. Recess 153 is provided with a reduced bore for slidably receiving locking pin 151 which is adapted to enter locking hole 155 provided therefor in lever 146. Locking pin 151 is urged outwardly from engagement with lever 146 by compression spring 156 disposed between shoulder formed by the reduction lof the recess 153 and the collar 152.

Cotter pin 157, Fig. l0, secured to ring 158, is slidably arranged within bore 161 which forms an opening into recess 153, the cotter pin being adapted to hold locking pin 151 in engagement with locking hole 155 of the lever 146 until withdrawn by the ring 158 after the casing has been inserted into the barrel of the signal ejector of the submarine.

Upstanding portions 141 are provided with aligned bores 162 therethrough into which is secured spring pin 163. Tension spring 164, sleeved about pin 163 and resting on shoulder 165 of lever 146, urges the lever into engagement with base 136. Lever 146 is provided with an elongated slot 166 into which is slidably arranged pin 167. The release piston 168 is provided with an axial bore 172 to prevent an airlock Within sleeve 175 and a diametrically milled slot 169 for slidably receiving lever 146. Pin 167 is secured within lateral bore 171 through the piston by staking the pin 167 to the piston.

Sleeve portion 175 of bellows head 149 is releasably locked in the position shown in Fig. 7 by means of a pair of balls 176 which are disposed respectively within a pair of openings 177 diametrically formed within the sleeve. The balls are normally held partially within a circumferential groove 174 formed within axial bore 173 of the bellows support 135 by means of release piston 168 which is slidably arranged within sleeve 175. An expansible metallic bellows 178 is brazed or otherwise secured in water-tight relation to bellows supoprt 135 and bellows head 149 formed integrally with sleeve 175. Sleeve 175 is provided with a plurality of openings 179 therethrough for admitting water into the interior of the bellows 178 when the signalling device is released into the water from the submarine. Sear 183 is rotatably mounted on sear pin 184 within slot 182 formed within bellows head 149, the sear pin 184 being secured to the bellows head by staking the pin to the head.

A cam surface is formed on sear 183 for matching engagement with a similar cam surface formed on tiring pin 188 as indicated at 186, these surfaces being held in engagement as long as the sear remains in axial bore 189 formed within tiring pin holder 191. Firing pin 188 is provided with an outwardly extending flange 192 which is slidably arranged within enlarged bore 193 formed within holder 191. Compression spring 194, sleeved about firing pin 188, is interposed under partial compression between the shoulder formed by bores 189 and 193 and ange 192, for urging the firing pin striker 195 forcibly into tiring relation with percussion cap 196. The striker 195 is secured to the firing pin 188 by threading the parts together.

Spring washer 181, sleeved about reduced end portion 182 of bellows head 149, provides a seat for one end of sear cocking spring 185. Spring is inserted under compression against spring washer 181 and adjusting nut 197 which is threadably secured to pin holder 191 whereby the bellows head 149 and firing pin 188 are yieldably urged toward the base 136. A lock nut 198, also in threaded engagement with pin holder 191, locks the adjusting nut 197 in position on the pin holder.

Bore 193 has a communicating enlarged bore 201 into which is disposed a time delay fuze assembly, generally designated 206 and having a time delay fuze 203. Fuze 203 is adapted to be ignited by the percussion cap 196', to burn along its length for a predetermined interval, and to fire an expellent charge 207 at the termination of this interval.

A lluorescent dye material 212 such, for example, as sodium salt of lluoresein is disposed within a split housing 208 which is telescopically arranged within the casing 131 to form a closed separable cylindrical housing therewithin. The expellent charge 207 when ignited by the time fuze 203, is adapted to simultaneously propel the dye material 212, housing 208, spacers 215, 216 and 217, sleeve 211, and the removable nose 209 away from the casing 131, a short interval such, for example, as 10 seconds after the casing has reached the surface of the water, thereby to spread the dye material on the water surface as the two halves of housing 208 separate. Nose 209 is provided with a circular recess 213 into which is fitted an O ring gasket 214 to form a water-tight seal between the nose and the casing 131` as the end of the casing is crimped about the gasket.

In operation the submarine signal device is pushed into the signal ejector barrel with end portion 147 disposed within the groove provided therefor in the ejector barrel. Cotter pin 157 is `withdrawn from bore 161 Vto allow compression spring 156 to withdraw locking pin 151 from locking hole 155 to free lever 146. The ejector door is then closed land the signal device is driven through the ejector barrel as by compressed air supplied by the submarine. As lthe end portion 147 reaches the end of the groove, lever 1146 and release piston 168 are drawn rearwardly against the force of spring 164 whereby balls 176 are cammed toward the center of sleeve 175, thereby to release the .sleeve and bellows head 149 from base 136, as illustrated in Fig. 8. As the signal casing leaves the ejector-barrel, water enters the interior ofthe bellows 178 by Way of the open end of sleeve 175 and openings 179 to expand the bellows against the force offspring 185. As the casing has positive buoyancy it rises to the surface of the water and the water pressure within the bellows gradually decreases until the bellows collapses suiciently to cause the sear 183 to emerge from bore 189 as the pressure of the .surrounding water reaches a predetermined value such, for example, las a pressure corresponding to a depth of l5 feet of water. As the scar 183 'emerges from bore 189, as best seen in Fig. 8, cam surfaces 186 cause scar 183 to rotate about sear pin 184 to release tiring pin 188 from the bellows head 149. The firing pin now is snapped forward by compression spring 194 to cause striker 195 to fire .the percussion cap 196 and ignite the time fuze 203.

The'time fuze burns for a predetermined interval while the signal Acasing continues to rise to the surface of the water and for a short interval such, for example, as seconds after the signal casing reaches the surface. At the expiration of this interval, the fuze 203 ignites the expellent charge 207 which propels the nose 209, spacer `sleeve 211, split housing 208 with the dye material 212 from the casing to spread the lluorescent dye on the surface of :the water and thus provide a surface display visible to surface vessels or aircraft.

From the foregoing it will be seen that signal devices have been provided which may be launched from a submarine .at any depth below the surface of the `water to release a visible signal at the surface, the novel feature of the present `invention resi-ding in the provision of a signal device which is operative to prevent release of the display material until the signal device has reached the surface of the water, thereby vavoiding release of the material below the surface which may result in such damage .thereto or dispersion thereof as to render the signal device totally ineffective for the purpose intended.

`Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. vIt is therefore to be understood that wlthin the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America .for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor. v

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. In an ejector type submarine signal device, 'mechanism for ring a time delayed expellent charge in the device as the device approaches the surface of the water comprising in combination, -a casing, a pressure responsive `element initially Vin releasable locking engagement with said casing and adapted to be released therefrom as the casingis launched from the submarine, lsaid element being in communication with the surrounding water when the device is launched therein, a primer arranged in firing relation with respect to said charge, a firing pin, means in engagement with said pin for yieldably urging the pin into tiring engagement with said primer, a sear carried by said element and releasably locked to said ring kpin and movable by said .element against the force of said yieldable means into a release position when the pressure on the element is reduced to a predetermined value, and means on Asaid element in engagement with said sear for maintaining the scar in locking engagement with the firing pin 'until said pressure on the element is reduced to said predetermined value 'whereby the pin is moved forcibly into firing engagement with 'the primer.

2. An ejector type signalling device of the character disclosed comprising, in combination, a casing, a signalling medium constructed and arranged within the casing and adapted to be expelled therefrom for display .above the surface of the water, an explosive charge arranged within the casing and effective when ignited to expel said signalling medium therefrom, a primer, a time delay fuze interposed between the primer and the charge whereby the charge is ignited in predetermined time delayed relation withrespect to firing of the primer, initially locked hydrostatic means in communication with the surrounding water as the device is ejected therein from a submarine, means elective as the device is ejected from the submarine for unlocking said hydrostatic means, firing means releasably locked to said hydrostatic means, means including a detent pivotally mounted on said hydrostatic means for maintaining the firing means in locking engagement therewith until the pressure on the hydrostatic means has decreased to a predetermined value as the device approaches the surface of said water, and means on said firing means for forcibly driving the firing means into firing engagement with said primer when said pressure reaches said predetermined value.

3. Mechanism for tiring an expellent charge of an ejector type submarine signalling device comprising, in combination, a primer arranged in operative firing relation wtih respect to said charge, a firing pin, spring means for yieldably urging said pin into tiring relation with respect to said primer, a pressure responsive element in communication with the surrounding water when the device is ejected from the submarine and adapted to gradually compress said spring means as the device rises to the surface of the water, means including a detent pivotally mounted on said element for releasably locking the firing pin to said element, and means on said device for releasing the locking means when the pressure on the element is reduced to a predetermined value and the element is moved a predetermined amount in response thereto.

4. Hydrostatic means for firing an expellent charge of an ejector type submarine signalling device when the device has ascended from a submarine to the surface of the water comprising, in combination, a primer arranged in operative tiring relation with respect to said charge,

a pressure responsive element in communication with the surrounding water when the signal is launched from the submarine, a tiring pin releasably locked to said element and adapted to be released therefrom when the pressure of the surrounding water on said element has decreased to a predetermined value, means including a detent pivotally mounted on said element for releasably locking the firing pin thereto, sleeve means on said device for maintaining the detent in locking engagement with said firing pin until said pressure has decreased to said predetermined value, and means for forcibly moving the firing pin into firing engagement with said primer when the tiring pin has been released thereby to re the primer.

5. Hydrostatic means for firing the time delayed eX- pellent charge of an ejector type submarine signalling device comprising, in combination, a primer arranged in operative firing relation with respect to said charge, a normally locked tiring pin, yieldable means in engagement with said firing pin for urging said pin into firing engagement with said primer as the pin is released, means 'including a detent releasably locking said tiring pin in spaced relation with respect to the primer against the opposing force of said yieldable means, an expansible member arranged within and secured to the device in communication with the surrounding water when the signalling device is ejected from the submarine, means for yieldably compressing said expansible member into an initially compressed condition, said member being arranged to be expanded by the pressure of the surrounding water against the opposing force of said compressing means as the device is released from a submarine below the surface of the water and to gradually become compressed by the compressing means as the device approaches the surface of the water, means secured to said expansible member and having said detent pivotally mounted thereon, said last named means being moved by said expansible member suiciently to cause the detent to be released from locking engagement with said pin when the member has become compressed by a predetermined amount as the device approaches the surface of the water, means including a pair of locking devices in engagement with said member for releasably locking the member in said initially compressed condition, and means including a trip lever pivotally mounted on said device and tripped as the device is ejected from the submarine for releasing said locking means.

6. An ejector type submarine signal mechanism of the character disclosed comprising, in combination, a water tight casing having a removable nose portion thereon, a housing slidably arranged within the casing, a pyrotechnic flare and a parachute support therefor disposed within said housing, an explosive material arranged Within said housing for igniting the pyrotechnic are and for propelling the parachute and pyrotechnic flare from the housing when the explosive material is ignited, a time delay fuze arranged within the housing for igniting said explosive material after the fuze has been ignited for a predetermined interval, an expellent charge arranged within said casing and effective when ignited to simultaneously ignite said time delay fuze and expel said housing from the casing, a primer arranged in ring relation with respect to said expellent charge, a tiring pin, yieldable means for urging said pin into tiring relation with respect to said primer, a pressure responsive element initially in releasable locking engagement with said casing and adapted to be released therefrom as the casing is ejected from the submarine, said element being in communication with the surrounding water when the mechanism is ejected from the submarine, means including a sear for releasably coupling the element to the firing pin whereby the pin is moved against the opposing force of said yieldable means as the element moves in response to a reduction in the pressure of the surrounding water, and means for releasing said pin coupling means when the pressure of the water has been reduced to a predeter- 10 mined value whereby the pin is moved forcibly into fir* ing relation with the primer when the pressure on the element reaches said predetermined value as the signal mechanism approaches the surface of the water.

7. In a firing mechanism of the character disclosed for expelling a signal display from a marine signal device, the combination of an expellent charge, a primer for igniting the charge, a pin having a striker on one end thereof for tiring said primer and a cam surface portion on the other end thereof, a tubular member for slidably supporting said firing pin, means for yieldably urging the firing pin axially of said support therefor and into engagement with the primer, a member having a cam surface portion initially disposed in said tubular support in interlocking engagement with said cam surface portion of the tiring pin whereby the tiring pin is moved against the opposing force of said yieldable means as the member is moved in a direction outwardly of the support, and means including an element in communication with the surrounding water and pivotally connected to said member for moving the member outwardly of the tubular support upon movement of the element as the pressure of the Water is decreased, said member being pivotally moved about said pivotal connection thereof and out of interlocking engagement with the firing pin by camming coaction between said cam surface portions thereof as the member moves out of the tubular support thereby to release the firing pin for forcible engagement with said primer.

8. An ejector type submarine signal device of the character disclosed comprising a casing, a pressure responsive element disposed Within and normally locked to said casing, means including a pair of locking devices supported by said casing in engagement with said element for releasably locking said element thereto and actuated to release said element as the device is ejected from a submarine into a body of water, firing means releasably locked to said element, and a detent pivotally mounted on said element for maintaining the firing means in locking engagement therewith and for releasing the firing means to a firing position when the pressure of the Water on the element has decreased to a predetermined value resulting from the approach of the device toward the surface of said water.

9. An ejector type submarine signal device of the character disclosed comprising a casing, pressure responsive means sealed to and normally locked to said casing and adapted to be actuated to a released position as the device is ejected from a submarine into a body of Water, means supported by said casing in engagement with said pressure responsive means for releasably locking the pressure means thereto and for releasing said pressure means as the device is ejected from said submarine, an explosive primer, firing means releasably locked to said pressure means and forcibly driven into tiring engagement with said primer when released, means including a detent pivotally secured to said pressure means for maintaining said ring means in locking engagement therewith and for releasing the ring means therefrom when the pressure of the water on the pressure means has decreased to a predetermined value resulting from the approach of the device toward the surface of said water, and means operatively connected to said tiring means and in engagement with said casing for forcibly driving said firing means into ring engagement with said primer as the tiring means is released thereby to explode the primer.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,451,395 Hustvedt Apr. l0, 1923 2,438,117 Ellwood Mar. 23, 1948 2,445,640 Schermuly July 20, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS 347,180 Germany Ian. 16, 1922 

